Journey of balance

18 April 2024amrita leaning on wall

Amrita Muralikrishnan, representing the rich tapestry of India, shares her inspirational scholarship journey at the School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia.

1. Tell us about this scholarship.

The Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship (GRES) offers a monthly stipend and full tuition fee waiver throughout my PhD program, encouraging me to accomplish my objectives in the research field.

2. In what ways do you believe this scholarship aligns with your academic and career aspirations?

Building relationships and working with professionals and academics in different study disciplines has offered me a deeper understanding and inspired me to develop ideas to produce an engaging and effective research project. The multiple workshops and mobility programs that Monash University Malaysia offers can serve as a platform for developing our skills and abilities, which will eventually help us to identify intriguing career possibilities in the future.

3. What motivated you to pursue this particular scholarship opportunity?

Pursuing a PhD, especially at a university abroad, can be financially challenging since it can be hard for students to fit in alternative employment options like a part-time job with their demanding research schedules. Additionally, returning to university after a career in the corporate world with a steady salary was intimidating. However, having the GRES scholarship has allowed me to focus on my interests without concern about finances.

4. In what ways has the scholarship played a role in shaping your overall university experience?

In addition to the benefits of professional advancement, living abroad and adapting to a multicultural society have enhanced my confidence and self-worth.

5. Are there specific challenges or milestones that stand out as crucial to your growth?

My work from a pharmacy background focuses on developing drug candidates for a disease condition. I consider achieving this objective an important milestone in my research work.

6. Drawing from your experience, what advice would you give to students considering applying for scholarships?

If your accomplishments are pertinent to your application, don't hesitate to promote them, no matter how small. In my experience, published research articles can help considerably with scholarship applications. Likewise, it would be ideal if you get in touch with supervisors whose fields of expertise closely match your research interests. Finally, and most importantly, you need to have confidence in yourself and realise your PhD aspirations with the support of these scholarships.